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Benjamin Phipps and Absalom Bennett, 1800, North Carolina and Virginia

The following is a transcription of a deed from Brunswick County, Virginia dated 15 March 1800. The transcription was made from a copy sent by the webmaster/editor of the “A Witcher Genealogy” website.

The document is significant for several reasons. One of those reasons has to do with something which is only implied, and that is a connection to Wake County, North Carolina.

We’ve mentioned in past posts the 1790 Brunswick County chancery case pitting “Absolem” Bennett against Benjamin Phipps, Robert Westmoreland, and Joseph Phipps. That case involved depositions from two women in North Carolina, at least one of whom was from Wake County.

Then in 1807 in Wake County, North Carolina, a will was written by Julius D. Bennett, who specifically states in his will that he was a son of Absalom Bennett. In that will, he refers to Elizabeth Phipps and Polley Phipps, Polly (or Polley) being a common period nickname for Mary.

In the deed below, not only is the seller (Griffen or Griffin Randle) referred to as being of Wake County, North Carolina, but Absalom Bennett himself was involved. Once the land is sold from Randle to Benjamin Phipps, it is said in the document that Randle and “Absolem” Bennett both “defend” the land to Benjamin Phipps.

Benjamin Wheeler, also mentioned in the document, appears to have eventually come into Granville County, North Carolina. Benjamin Phipps of this record was presumably the same one mentioned in the last post, who is discussed as a son of Joseph Phipps by Mrs. Howard Woodruff in her 1972 book on Joseph and his descendants. Cold Water (or Coldwater) Creek, also mentioned in the document, looms prominently in multiple Phipps or Phips records in Brunswick County.

The 1800 deed transcribed below was also witnessed by John Phipps (see the last post) and by Abner Woolsey.

In early Virginia, given names often came from the surnames of associated families. The given name of Griffin Randle appears to have likely been derived from the Randle family’s association with the Griffin family. The given name of Randle Woolsey, on the other hand, appears to have come from the Woolsey family’s association with the Randle family.

Randle Woolsey witnessed a 1776 Brunswick County deed involving Joseph Phips and Tabitha Phips. The deed below, dated 1800, was witnessed by Abner Woolsey. When Abner Woolsey married in 1795 in Brunswick County, Joseph Phipps was the bondsman.

Much later, an 1845 Brunswick County summons was directed by the administrators of the estate of Abner Woolsey against various individuals, including James N. Phipps and his wife Mary, Benjamin Phipps, Winfield Phipps, and other Phipps family members.

According to an unconfirmed secondary source, in 1786 in Brunswick County, Griffin Randle (as named in the deed below), son of Barnett Randle, was an orphan, and James Randle was appointed his guardian. Then later, a different guardian was appointed in 1790.

The new guardian was none other than – guess who – Absalom Bennett.

[p. 539:]

This Indenture made this 15th day of March one thousand Eight hundred between Griffen [or Griffin?] Randle of Wake in the state of North Carolina of the one part and Benjamin Phips of Brunswick County in the state of Virginia of the other part Witnesseth that the said Griffen [or Griffin?] Randle for and in consideration of the sum of Three hundred and Twenty pounds virginia [sic] money to him the said Griffen [or Griffin?] Randle in hand paid by the said Benjamin Phipps on the sealing & delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof the said Randle doth hereby acknowledge and himself therewith satisfyed hath hereby bargained sold and by these presents doth bargain sell alien release & confirm unto the said Benjamin Phips a certain tract [or?] parcel of Land in the above said County of Brunswick in Virginia containing by estimation four hundred acres be the same more or less and bounded as followeth to wit Beginning at a Butterwood on the head of the [Saw?] scaffold branch then by William Jones line, south ten east 152 poles to the center of three oaks, marked or chopped inward then south 60 East to a road which leads to Waltons ordinary fomerly [sic; formerly] Randles ordinary then by the road by marked tree dividing said Land from Powells land to a white Oak for a corner on the [north?] side of the road thence by a line of marked trees which divides it from [? (looks like “Linsleys” or something similar)] land to Benjamin Wheeler senr. corner on a branch then by various courses sd. Branch to cold water Creek then by the cold water Creek to William Jones corner then by William Jones line to the butterwood first mentioned beginning above To have and to hold the above mentioned land and every of [sic] its appurtenances unto the said Benjamin Phips his heirs and assigns forever and he the said Griffin Randle & Absolem Bennett doth by these presents for themselves & their heirs shall & well by these presents defend the said Granted land unto the said Benjamin Phipps his heirs and assigns forever free from all former gifts mortgages Rites of dower and every other encumbrance whatsoever In witness whereof they the said Griffin Randle & Absolem Bennett hath hereunto set their hands & seals the day & date first above written

[signed:]
Griffin [or Griffen?] Randle (seal)
Absolem Bennett (seal)

Signed sealed & Delivered in presence of us
[signed:]
John Phipps
David his + mark Elder
Abner his X mark Woolsey

Brunswick County Court June 23rd 1800

The Indenture of Bargain & sale was proved by the oath of of [sic; repeated] Abner Woolsey a witness thereto & having [been?] proven on the 28th day of April last by the oaths of John Phipps & David Elder also witnesses thereto the same is ordered to be recorded.